Japanese and Rwandan Youth Envisioning the Future as “Global Citizens”
Event Overview
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, an online exchange event was held between students from the International Studies Department of Yokohama Municipal Yokohama Commercial High School and students from Muhanga Teacher Training College in the Republic of Rwanda.
This event was organized with the aim of promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect for diversity through exchanges with Africa, as part of Yokohama City’s initiatives for the next generation in preparation for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) scheduled for August. This initiative, realized through collaboration with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and NPO Forum2050, provided a valuable opportunity for high school students from both countries to transcend borders and contemplate the future together.
Event Details
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Venue: Yokohama Municipal Yokohama Commercial High School (2-30-1 Minamiotа, Minami-ku, Yokohama)
Facilitator: Mr. Takao Toda, Representative of NPO Forum2050
Language: English (with Japanese supplementation)
Program Content
The exchange session proceeded as follows:
- Opening Remarks: Greetings from the principal and other officials
- Self-Introductions: Mutual introductions among participating students
- Discussion & Dialogue: Active discussions about the future they envision as “global citizens”
- Commemorative Photography: Group photos to record the bond between both schools
Outcomes and Significance of the Exchange
This exchange session went beyond mere cross-cultural understanding, providing an opportunity for students from both countries to deeply contemplate the future and peace together as “global citizens.” While overcoming language barriers through English communication, they were able to share their respective cultural backgrounds and values, deepening mutual understanding.
This exchange session, realized through collaboration between former JICA staff, Yokohama City, Yokohama Commercial High School, and the Rwandan teacher training college, served as an important catalyst for participating students not only to better understand others but also to collectively consider the future and peace.
Future Prospects
If such moments of cross-border dialogue could be shared by more people around the world, especially the younger generation, it would represent a significant step toward building a peaceful future. While the path may be difficult between countries with histories of conflict, this exchange session reminded us once again of the importance of continuing to move forward despite various difficulties, without giving up from the start.
Believing that the accumulation of small acts of understanding and dialogue by each individual will eventually become a force that creates significant change, it is important to continue and develop such initiatives in the future.
This event was made possible through collaboration between JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), Yokohama City, and NPO Forum2050.
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Forum2050 operates under the concept of ‘Children of the World: Each Child’s Vision for the Future Shapes Humanity’s Destiny,’ collaborating with businesses, schools, educational institutions, and others. Together with children, we create opportunities for them to contemplate peace and development in the future human society, fostering partnerships.
